Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2016 January 15

= January 15 =

plasma cutters.
I'm interested in modifying a typical hand-held plasma cutter (Something like THIS ONE, for example) so it can be computer controlled to turn it into a CNC plasma cutter. I know how to make the X/Y motion and all of the other bits and pieces - but I'm not very familiar with the actual plasma cutting part - so I have some basic questions:


 * 1) What kinds of voltage/current does the trigger switch carry?
 * 2) Does the trigger also switch the air supply on and off?
 * 3) Is there any significant delay between pulling the trigger and the plasma being able to start cutting metal?
 * 4) Is there any delay between releasing the trigger and it shutting off?
 * 5) How wide is the 'kerf' (the slot that it cuts)?
 * 6) How fast are the consumable tips used up?
 * 7) In order to do this, I think I need a "no-touch" system.  Are there any disadvantages of these over the other kinds?

Anything else you can think of that might matter here would be worth knowing!

SteveBaker (talk) 16:09, 15 January 2016 (UTC)


 * 5. A reviewer of that product here says that the kerf is 1/8 inch. SemanticMantis (talk) 16:54, 15 January 2016 (UTC)
 * Here's the official product manual/spec pamphlet from Lotos, hosted by Amazon. It gives a range of 3-12 mm kerf, depending on material composition and thickness. SemanticMantis (talk) 17:02, 15 January 2016 (UTC)


 * Be careful when working with extremely hot gasses. KägeTorä - (影虎)  ( もしもし！ ) 13:18, 16 January 2016 (UTC)
 * No kidding! We're pretty experienced with CNC machines - we have a couple of laser cutters and a CNC milling machine.  So we have plenty of respect for the potential dangers.  Hence the research.  SteveBaker (talk) 18:32, 16 January 2016 (UTC)